Lofoten is an archipelago and a traditional district in Norway, in the county of Nordland. The Lofoten Islands are known for their distinctive, dramatic mountain peaks, open seas, sheltered bays, beaches, and untouched lands. In this topic we covered some major information about Lofoten islands.
The islands have two major towns: Svolvaer and Leknes. Leknes is located approximately 169 km (105 mi) north of the Arctic Circle and about 2,420 km (1,500 mi) from the North Pole.
Lofoten has one of the world’s largest relative temperature abnormalities for its high latitude, and there is evidence of human settlement dating back at least 11,000 years.
The earliest archaeological sites in Lofoten are about 5,500 years old, marking the transition from the early to the late Stone Age.The Iron Age saw the development of agriculture, livestock, and significant human habitation, dating back to around 250 BC.
For over 1,000 years, the islands have been a center for the great cod fisheries, particularly in the winter when cod migrate from the Barents Sea to spawn in Lofoten.
Major information about Lofoten Islands.
Bergen, in southwestern Norway, was long the hub for exporting cod from the south to various parts of Europe, especially when trade was controlled by the Hanseatic League.
The Lofoten Islands were raided by British commandos during Operation Claymore in March 1941 and the subsequent Vaagso raid in December. In 2017, the islands attracted over one billion tourists.
The Lofoten Islands are characterized by their mountain peaks, stretches of coastline, sheltered inlets, and large unspoiled areas. The highest mountain in Lofoten is Higravstinden, at a height of 1,161 meters (3,809 feet).
The main transportation route in Lofoten is the European road E10, which connects the larger islands with bridges and undersea tunnels.
The E10 also connects Lofoten to the mainland of Norway through the Lofast road connection, which opened on December 1, 2007. There are frequent daily bus services between the Lofoten Islands and the mainland along the E10.
Lofoten is also served by small airports including Leknes Airport, Svolvaer Airport, Helle Airport, a heliport at Vaeroy, Stokmarknes Airport, Skagen in Vesteralen, Harstad/Narvik Airport, and Evenes airport, which has direct flights to Oslo and Trondheim.
Bodo airport is often used as a hub for travelers to the Lofoten Archipelago. In addition to air travel, there is a ferry connection from Bodo to Moskenes, and a ferry connection between Svolvaer and Skutvik in Hamaroy with road connections to the east via the E6.
In 2004, the music group Nurse with Wound broadcast 24 unexpected radio transmissions from the Lofoten Islands. The sounds were sourced from the environment and objects found in Lofoten and were included on three releases called Shipwreck Radio.
Norwegian painter Gunnar Berg, known for his paintings of everyday life among local fishermen, was from Lofoten.
The Lofoten Islands offer many rock climbing and mountaineering opportunities, with alpine-style ridges, summits, and glaciers at heights of less than 1,200 meters (3,900 ft). The main center for climbing is Henningsvær on Austvagoy.
Lofoten has one of the world’s most unique football pitches, located on a rocky islet with no actual seats.
Unstad is a well-known location for surfing, and every September surfers from around the world visit to compete in the Lofoten Masters.
There is a well-marked cycling route that goes from the south to Fiskebol village in the north. The route is partly on public roads and partly on a dedicated cycle path, with the option to bypass tunnels by either boat or cycle path.
